Hare Krishna (also "Maha Mantra") is a sixteen-word Vaishnava mantra(a kind of worship in Hinduism) that is believed to bring a higher state of conscience when heard, spoken, meditated upon, or sung out loud.
"Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare"
Founding
- When? The Hare Krishna was first popularized in the 16th century; the International Society for Krishna Conscious (ISKCON) was founded in 1966
- Where? Originally in India, but the ISKCON was in New York
- By Whom? Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in 1500 CE & "His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada"
Members
- Who? "International Society for Krishna Consciousness", 10,000 temple devotees and 250,000 congregational devotees
- Where? More than 350 centres, 60 rural communities, 50 schools and 60 restaurants worldwide; especially popular in India & Eastern Europe (since the downfall of the Soviet Union)
Hare Krishna Art
Beliefs
- Connected to Hinduism
- Recognizes other, monotheistic religions
The Seven Beliefs of ISKCON
To systematically propagate spiritual knowledge to society at large and to educate all people in the techniques of spiritual life in order to check the imbalance of values in life and to achieve real unity and peace in the world.
To propagate a consciousness of Krishna (God), as it is revealed in the great scriptures of India, Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam.
To bring the members of the Society together with each other and nearer to Krishna, the prime entity, thus developing the idea within the members, and humanity at large, that each soul is part and parcel of the quality of Godhead (Krishna).
To teach and encourage the sankirtana movement, congregational chanting of the holy name of God, as revealed in the teachings of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
To erect for the members and for society at large a holy place of transcendental pastimes dedicated to the personality of Krishna.
To bring the members closer together for the purpose of teaching a simpler, more natural way of life.
With a view towards achieving the aforementioned purposes, to publish and distribute periodicals, magazines, books and other writings.
Place of worship
- most members practise Krishna consciousness in their homes, only a small part of them go to temples
Difference in Lifestyle
- Members live in normal communities, but there are still some differences to people with other religions:
No eating of meat, fish or eggs
No illicit sex
No gambling
No intoxication (including alcohol, caffeine, tobacco and other recreational drugs)
Beliefs about Life
- Reincarnation
- The body changes, but the soul stays the same
-> "You are not your body"
- Death is only another, final change for the body (and final only for the body)
- After death, the soul finds a new body and the cicle begins again
- When your "schooling is over" you can free yourself from the circle all together
Hare Krishna Temple in Chatsworth
Vrindavana
Mayapur
Jagannatha Puri
Holy Places
A visit to a holy place doens't only mean taking a bath in a sacred river or visiting temples. According to Srila Prabhupada, if one visits a holy place, he should search out the devotees residing there, take lessons from them and try to apply such instructions in practical life. Krishna is always present with His devotees and by their actions any place can become a place of pilgrimage. For this reason, the places where Srila Prabhupada visited are also considered places of pilgrimage.
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
"Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare"
- When? The Hare Krishna was first popularized in the 16th century; the International Society for Krishna Conscious (ISKCON) was founded in 1966
- Where? Originally in India, but the ISKCON was in New York
- By Whom? Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in 1500 CE & "His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada"
Members
- Who? "International Society for Krishna Consciousness", 10,000 temple devotees and 250,000 congregational devotees
- Where? More than 350 centres, 60 rural communities, 50 schools and 60 restaurants worldwide; especially popular in India & Eastern Europe (since the downfall of the Soviet Union)
Hare Krishna Art
Beliefs
- Connected to Hinduism
- Recognizes other, monotheistic religions
The Seven Beliefs of ISKCON
- most members practise Krishna consciousness in their homes, only a small part of them go to temples
Difference in Lifestyle
- Members live in normal communities, but there are still some differences to people with other religions:
Beliefs about Life
- Reincarnation
- The body changes, but the soul stays the same
-> "You are not your body"
- Death is only another, final change for the body (and final only for the body)
- After death, the soul finds a new body and the cicle begins again
- When your "schooling is over" you can free yourself from the circle all together
Hare Krishna Temple in Chatsworth
A visit to a holy place doens't only mean taking a bath in a sacred river or visiting temples. According to Srila Prabhupada, if one visits a holy place, he should search out the devotees residing there, take lessons from them and try to apply such instructions in practical life. Krishna is always present with His devotees and by their actions any place can become a place of pilgrimage. For this reason, the places where Srila Prabhupada visited are also considered places of pilgrimage.
Vrindavaba, Mayapur & Jagannatha Puri
http://www.iskcon.com/index.html
http://www.harekrishna.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Society_for_Krishna_Consciousness